February 2005 ~ Shevat - Adar 1 5765

Chevre and Friends...

Announcements:
We joyfully welcome Bella Bogart to our Ner Shalom community. She will be our Cantorial Assistant through the end of 2005 and longer if we can make it happen. Due to the many Bnai Mitzvah scheduled, we will be having some Saturday Shabbat Chanting Services in private homes concurrent with services at our shul. Bella will lead the first of these services in the home of Ariana Elster on Feb 5th at 10:00 AM. Her address is 7837 Anthony Street in Sebastopol. Please email or phone the office for directions.

Side By Side: A Journey With Depression - A Funny Look at Serious Survival
Brian Wetzel's one-man show returns to Santa Rosa for two nights only
Thursday and Friday, February 10-11 at 7:30 p.m.
For tickets or more info contact the director Lizann Bassham at 829-1872 or 546-0998 or email to: jefflizann@earthlink.net or http://www.frontporchspirit.com

Administrator's Wish List:
Someone skilled with a drill to hang some "pomegranates" on the Etz Chaim - Tree of Life

From the Rebbe

Dear Hevre,

I just received this letter from our treasurer, Michelle Marks. She has been busy coordinating the rebirth of our own Ner Shalom website, which is up and running thanks to Anne Woods, at www.nershalom.org--(check it out!), and has run into an issue where we thought it would be good to have community input. Generally, we would do Reconstructionist process while together, ideally eating something with chocolate in it, but this time of year is busy, so I thought I'd try a new format.
Here's the issue:
Michelle wrote: I come from the minhag (tradition) of not "writing" the complete name of G-d based on the sacredness of this word whether in English or Hebrew. I now find us with an electronic newsletter (which does get printed out) and a website (that can be printed). As we have crossed over into the age of electronic "writing" which can be printed, I still feel that we should continue to use G-d or some form of that instead of the complete spelling to avoid any possible problems.
What should we do for our newsletter and website as they both represent Ner Shalom?

Here are some things to consider:
The third commandment given at Mt. Sinai says not to take the name of the Holy One in vain.
In order to keep this commandment, tradition tells us to not pronounce the sacred Name at all (yud-hey- vav-hey: YHVH) which is easy enough since it has no vowels. When the Temple stood, only the Kohen Gadol (high priest) would utter the Name during Yom Kippur. That knowledge has not been kept public, and so the actual pronunciation was/is known to only a few people (theoretically Rabbi Loew of Prague had to use it to make the Golem in 1580). So between the fact that we do not know how to say it and we are not supposed to say it, we're in pretty good shape to avoid taking it in vain.

On the other hand, most of us have a rather personal relationship with the Divine, and we also need a way to refer to the Divine when we are speaking to other people, so we traditionally substitute the word Adonai ("my Lord") in its place. Also, The Name appears in the Torah and in our prayerbook. When not reading Torah or the Siddur, most observant Jews won't even say Adonai, but prefer instead to say 'HaShem' (the Name).

Torah Scrolls are one thing, but a siddur (prayerbook), if used frequently, can wear out and need to be discarded (also a tallit atarah or smallbook of blessings). So in these cases the Name is not even written out, but abbreviated as two 'yuds'. Even this seems to carry the aura of holiness, and siddurim are buried instead of thrown away, like a Torah Scroll. In some communities (like 8th-11th century Cairo), any document that had Hebrew on it was considered holy enough for burial, though the synagogue there stored their 'geniza' of documents in the attic. We are now really thankful to have so much material to research from that time period!

Some people have taken it even further and apply the rules to words used for the Name in other languages. Thus: G-d. Seeing G-d also reminds us of the fact that the holy Name is not written or used in vain. So you can see that the law is interpreted very broadly, and relevant to us is the issue that the Name itself has become holy, and cannot be erased.

Here are two questions to ask ourselves as we decide what to do about the website and newsletter:
Do we feel that English translations, such as God (whose roots come from the Gothic root gheu derived form Sanskrit hub or emu,"to invoke or to sacrifice to") are of similar holiness to the Hebrew YHVH or double yud?

Are electrons, and therefore a website or email newsletter a 'permanent' writing - do they count as material not to be erased? What happens if someone prints it - do we become responsible for taking the Name in vain then?

What do you think our policy should be? Let me know - I can be reached (ephemerally) at: rebbee@sonic.net

L'shalom,
Elisheva

Gifts of Light

MEMORIAL DONATIONS...
SHIRA HADDITT, a donation in memory of Thomas Stauffer and Lawrence Holzman
LIZA RAVITZ, a donation to the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund

OFFERINGS...
MARTIN BROWN, a donation to the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
ANDREW & CARINA WAGNER, a donation to the Building Fund for renovating the "entrance"
NINA CARSON, a donation toward the Building Fund for renovating the "entrance"
LINDA CARSON, a donation toward the General Fund
MARILYN JAFFE, a donation to the General Fund
LAURIE LIPPIN, a donation in honor of the 2004 "babies" - Erica Skiman, Tyler Davidovitz & Amalya Salamo
RUSS MESSING & FAMILY, a donation to the Messing Fund
PAUL & LORRAINE LICHTMAN, a donation for "get well wishes" for Barbara Lesch-McCaffry
ARIANA ELSTER, a donation toward repairs to the entrance of our building

THANK YOU...
To NANCY RAPP and ARIANA ELSTER for helping to create our beautiful, new library
To PAM PEPPER for her dedicated work on the Chanukah party
To ARIANA ELSTER for taking charge of the highly successful olive oil sales
To SUNNY GRILLO for building new bookshelves in our new library

News from Dor Hadash

Shalom Chevre,
Dor Hadash School is growing and changing thanks to the work of many dedicated people. I want to thank everyone who helps us bring high quality experiences to the children of the school.

In January the students and their families responded to the Tsunami tragedy by raising $120. This money was sent to the American Jewish World Service which was already on the ground helping the needy in Sri Lanka before the catastrophic event. During the following session, children and parents worked together to clean up Cotati Creek and plant native trees in celebration of Tu B'Shvat. Our school program is dedicated to learning, individual spiritual growth, and taking responsibility in fulfilling the commandment for Tikkun Olam, repairing the earth.

On January 30th we began our arts program which invites members and non- members to work with professional Jewish artists to create beautiful pieces for the home. Our first workshop was painting Hebrew calligraphy onto ceramic tiles.
The next two workshops coming up are on February 13, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm with fabulous glass artists David and Michelle Plachte-Zweibak, who will help us create collage amulets behind glass. Cost $18.00 per project.
On March 13, 10:00 am- 12:00 pm, our own wonderful Carol Vanek will lead a workshop called Ancestral Doorways. For more information on either of these workshops, or to register, call Carol at the synagogue office.

Rebbe Elisheva will begin a series of adult education classes on February 6 at 11:00 am, which will run through March 20. We hope that you will attend.

Please feel free to come visit our school anytime. We accept new students throughout the year, and we are envisioning steady growth for the school.

B'shalom,
Leslie Gattmann

eScrip and more...

eScrip....37 merchants contribute to our community. Next month see who the largest contributors are for the year. Can't remember who is a participant? Just register all the credit/debit cards you use and the computers will take care of the rest. Contact Michelle Marks at 778-6346 or e-mail at Steven.Marks@prodigy.net and she can help you get started.

COMMUNITYsmart.... Remember Oliver's is no longer an eScrip participant.
You can instantly join COMMUNITYsmart at Oliver's checkout counter or go on-line to www.communitysmart.com. If you know a local merchant who might be interested in this program, mention it to them and send Michelle Marks their name, business name and phone number. Ner Shalom can receive $50 for each new merchant that we "help" sign-up with this program. E-mail or call Michelle Marks.

Albertsons.... Thank you to the 16 contributors who shop at Albertsons. groceries.
Do you have a blue and white Preferred Savers card but it's still not connected to Ner Shalom? All you need to do to activate it, is go to www.Albertsons.com. If you need help enrolling or have any concerns let Michelle Marks know at 778-6346 or e-mail at Steven.Marks@prodigy.net.

Raley's....Remember-to make your contribution count you must activate your card on-line.
Thank you for taking the time to enroll your Raley's card on-line so that you would contribute to our community. If you need a Raley's Card or are having trouble registering let Michelle Marks help you.

Two Internet Shopping Opportunities
SchoolPop.... Schoolpop.com is the new way to allow your internet purchases to make a contribution. If you are a former SchoolCash.com member remember to re-register at SchoolPop. If you have any problems or questions please contact Michelle Marks.

us.shop.com....Visit the newest way to contribute with your Internet shopping. If you do not find what you want at SchoolPop then try this new site for contributing to Ner Shalom. You identify our community with the "CareCode" "Ner Shalom". If you have any questions contact Mac McCaffry at mjmccaffry@sprintmail.com.

Participate in our Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) program that helps our environment and Ner Shalom.
Recycle your empty inkjet and laser printer cartridges and old cell phones through Ner Shalom. You can be a part of keeping some of the 300 million cartridges used each year out of our landfills and allow Ner Shalom to receive a contribution for each item that gets recycled. This is a great project to share with your family, neighbors and colleagues at work. A collection box is now available in the foyer of the sanctuary for your donations or you can drop them off with Carol during office hours (Tues-Fri 9am-2pm). If you have questions please contact Michelle Marks at 778- 6346. Thank you to all of those of you who have contributed to our efforts. We are close to having enough inkjets to send off a shipment for recycling.

Board News

You who are reading this have an interest in Congregation Ner Shalom and possibly Reconstructionism. One of the basics of Reconstructionist values is our understanding that G-d did not favor/choose Jews over others but that we chose/choose G-d. This makes all humans equal under the Force of the Devine. Our Jewish community is small compared to most. Family members who are not Jewish are loved and valued as equals. Every one of you is important to all of us. To maintain this spiritual community requires that we have adequate funds, just like any of your households. We are having problems meeting our obligations. This month I am making an appeal for YOU to pay your appropriate dues and building fund portion. Please also make a contribution in honor of your loved ones' achievements and another in honor of the blessed memory of your loved ones. We are YOUR community. Ner Shalom is a place to thrive spiritually as well as connect to others. Many of us feel that the values fostered and reflected by our community contribute to our individual life and that the existence and continuation of our community contributes essential teaching and values not only to Jews, but to the broader world as well. And of course, we are here when you need a support system, a bris or baby naming, a B'nai Mitzvah, a wedding, or a funeral.

In the month of December, I received letters of solicitation from numerous organizations, all with good causes, all wanting money. Congregation Ner Shalom did not send such a solicitation. Please consider the importance of the Ner Shalom community to your personal spiritual and community Jewish connection. Our existence depends on each of YOU.

Sincerely,
Ariana

GOT IDEAS FOR A FUNDRAISER? We desperately need volunteers to help with our annual fundraiser.

COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Education Committee - Liz Hagen 829-3031

Finance Committee - Michelle Marks 778- 6346

Building Committee - Mark Cohen 792- 4368

Membership Committee - Sally Churgel 823- 0541

Newsletter - Pam Pepper 588-8824

Personnel - Barbara Lesch-McCaffry 585- 2291

Publicity Committee - Archie Lewinstein 795- 3493

Toy and Book Drive at the Jewish Community Free Clinic

At the JEWISH COMMUNITY FREE CLINIC we try to send each child home with a positive memory of visiting "the doctor."

Children who come to the Jewish Community Free Clinic for their health care often go home with a "new" toy or an interesting book to read. A trip home from the clinic with a new toy in hand can be remembered as a rewarding experience rather than as a scary one. And a new book to read at home can promote reading literacy, and enjoyment, for the whole family of the child/patient.

The JEWISH COMMUNITY FREE CLINIC seeks donations of lightly used toys and books to give away to children who visit the Clinic. Small toys without removable parts are preferred. Small stuffed animals and dolls are ideal.

If one family (or more) from each congregation in Sonoma County would coordinate the collection of toys and books from their membership, we would have an ongoing supply of them to offer our patients. And you can be sure; the need for them is ongoing. WHAT A GREAT MITZVAH FOR UPCOMING BAT AND BAR MITZVAHS!

We treat sick children at all three of our weekly clinics and have a special Well Child and Immunization Clinic for children every Tuesday afternoon. The Clinic is run by a mostly volunteer, often bilingual, clinical staff, which treats low-income individuals and families who do not have medical insurance, regardless of ethnicity, religion or citizenship status.

If you have toys or books to donate, or would like to coordinate the collection at your synagogue, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at the JEWISH COMMUNITY FREE CLINIC. Phone: 792-1932 Email: schedule@jewishfreeclinic.org
The web site for the JEWISH COMMUNITY FREE CLINIC is www.jewishfreeclinic.org

Yom Hashoah Community Commemoration

Save the Date

A dramatic presentation, titled "U-Boats in Berlin," will highlight this year's Community Yom Hashoah Commemoration scheduled for Sunday, May 8, 2005 at 2 PM, The Cooperage, Sonoma State University.

The dramatic program is based on a book by Barbara Lovenheim, "Survival in the Shadows," the story of a Jewish family hiding in Berlin from January 1943 to the end of the War. Ruth Gumpel, who now lives in Petaluma, was one of the family members in hiding.

Etz Chaim ~Tree of Life

Etz Chaim - Tree of Life
Our Tree of Life in the Oneg room began as a way to thank those in our community who worked so hard to establish our permanent home in Cotati.
It will now be used to help Ner Shalom continue to flourish through the celebration of life events. A simcha leaf to honor a special life event and a pomegranate to commemorate the seeds of our community's hard work, our Bnai Mitzvahs, can be obtained through a donation of 10 Chai or $180. To mark your special occasion with a simcha leaf or pomegranate please contact the office.

Jewish Family and Children's Services

Coming up this winter at Jewish Family and Children's Services & Parents Place 

All low-cost/no-cost JFCS and Parents Place programs listed below are non-sectarian and open to all members of the public.

Featured Volunteer Opportunities

This eight week group beginning in March, offered by Jewish Family and Children's Services, will provide you with emotional and spiritual support to help you to fully grieve the loss of your loved one and begin to heal. No charge. For more information or to pre-register, contact Martha Lavin, MSW at 707/571-8533 ex 232 or . 

FREE Income Tax Preparation for Low-Income Families

Trained volunteers will assist you in the preparation of your Income Tax. This will insure that you obtain earned income tax credits that are due families with children. Volunteers are trained to prepare simple returns only, no itemizations. Appointments available beginning February 1^st through April 15^th. Call Jeri Phillips to schedule your appointment. 707/571-8131 x202 or email Jerip@jfcs.org 

We’re looking for volunteers to conduct Shabbat programs once or twice a month on Friday afternoons at senior living facilities in Sonoma County. Reach out to Jewish seniors by celebrating Shabbat with them. Volunteer as a family or with special friends to make Shabbat a memorable experience by singing Shabbat songs, lighting candles, and reciting prayers over wine and Challah. Orientation and training are provided. Time commitment: 1 Friday per month, 3:45 to 5:00 pm. 

Be a friend to a lonely senior. Friendly visitor volunteers are needed to visit isolated seniors in Sonoma County. Orientation and on-going trainings and supervision are part of the program. You can make a big difference in someone’s life by volunteering just one hour a week. Volunteer as a family or as an individual. 

First Thursday of each month from 9:30 to noon Alice Perlman offers consultations for seniors (60+) and for those who have legal questions regarding Conservatorships, Estate and Medi-cal planning for aging family members and friends.  Call 707/571-8131 to schedule an appointment. 

Drop-In Center (no pre-registration required)

Note: As of January 2005 Drop In has changed to Friday mornings. See Below. Adoption Drop-In continues on Tuesday mornings. 

Pre-Registration for all classes other than Drop-In is required one week prior to class start date. 

Drop-In Play

Meet other parents, talk with our parent educator, and enjoy some time with your child. Fridays, beginning January 7, 2005, with Claire Leverant, $5. Purchase a card for five visits and your sixth visit is free. Toddlers to 4 years: 10:00-11:00 AM. Infants to beginning walkers 12:00-1:00 PM. 

The first Friday, beginning January 7, 2005, of the month features a special activity during playtime-cooking, art, and more. 10:00-11:30 AM. $8 includes materials. 

Therapeutic Play Groups

An 8-week group for children needing help learning social skills and developing positive interactions with their peers. Parent participation required. Groups led by Christine Curtis and Mary Hirsch. Mondays, January 24-March 21 (no class February 21). $120 for 8 weeks. 3-4 year olds: 10:00-11:00 AM.  

Introduction to Signing With Your Baby

Basic, simple sign language designed for infants and toddlers, setting a strong foundation for self-esteem and language development. With Fran Oglesby. Infant’s welcome. $25 includes materials. Friday March 4, 1:00-2:00 PM. 

Signing With Your Baby

Bring your child (one year and under). $80 for 4 weeks includes DVD or video. January 21, 28, February 4 and 18, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM OR Friday March 18, 25, April 1 and 15, 1:00-2:00 PM 

With Toddlers and Twos (12-36 months). With Bonnie Romanow, Wednesday January 19 or Wednesday April 6, 6:00-8:00 PM. $25. 

Positive Discipline for Parents of Young Children (3-6 years)

Tuesdays, February 22 and March 1 with Barbara Joy OR Wednesdays, March 22 and 29 with Bonnie Romanow, 6:00-8:00 PM $50. 

Communication, limit setting and guidance from a male perspective. With Mervin Maier, MFT. All held 6:30-8:30 PM, $25 per session.

• 3-9 years, Monday, February 7
• 9-13 years, Tuesday, March 8
• Adolescence, Wednesday, April 6
• 2-6 years, Thursday, May 5

Discipline Challenges for Single Parents

With Monica Haimowitz, MFT. Monday, February 28, 6:30-8:30 PM, $25. Childcare possible if requested in advance. 

Deepen your understanding of play and discover ways to best support your child’s growing body, mind, and heart. With Bonnie Romanow. Wednesday, February 9, 6:00-8:00 PM. $25. 

The Tempest Rages

Tantrums and frustrating behavior can throw off the most experienced and loving parents. We will consider possible causes and strategies for helping create more family harmony and dealing with frustration and anger with Claire Leverant. Mondays, January 31 OR March 14, 6:30-8:30 PM. $25. 

FREE! Post Adoption Classes, Workshops And More

Thanks to a grant from the California Department of Social Services, we are able to provide free of charge the following classes, as well as childcare while parents are attending. 

Drop-In Play group for Adoptive Families (Infants to 5 years)

Play and socialization for children and parents whose families are shaped by adoption. With Barbara Joy. Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30 AM. 

For an adoptee a LifeBook organizes personal information and helps children relate their history in the context of their entire life journey. Groups led by Barbara Joy.

Introduction to LifeBooks: March 23, and May 25, 6:00-8:00 PM. Free childcare provided.  

These workshops are designed to guide you in the process of creating a beautiful, thoughtful book for your child. Meets once per month. Childcare is available free of charge for the Thursday series but not available on Saturdays. Thursday: 9:30 AM-12:00 PM, February 17, March 3, April 7, May 5 and June 2 OR Saturdays, 9:30-11:30 AM, February 5, 19, March 5, 19 and April 2.

Donations Make a Difference!

Donations to Ner Shalom Make A Difference!

*Building Repair Fund
*Dor Hadash School
*Etz Chaim (Tree of Life)
*General Fund
*Music Fund
*Rabbi's Discretionary Fund
*Teen Fund
*Tikkun Olam Fund
*Written Word/Torah Fund
*Waldman Challenge Fund

Honor some one; remember an event or a special person. Donations (minimum of $6 {1/3 Chai} per listing) will be listed in the Gifts of Light section of the next newsletter. Send the donation to the office with the appropriate designation or call the office at 664-8622 for more information. Your generous support of Ner Shalom is greatly appreciated.

Memorialize the memory of a loved one with a Yahrzeit Plaque on our Wall of Remembrance. The cost of a plaque and inscription is $200. Please contact the office at 664-8622 for more information.

Newsletter Guidelines

*1. Deadline will be at 2:00p.m. on the first Friday of every month (unless arrangements have been made with the editor of the newsletter.)

*2. All submissions should be sent to the editor via e- mail with the subject heading: NL submission.

*3. Editor will change, edit, or delete any or all portions of submission(s) as deemed necessary without prior approval of the author.

*4. Editor is not responsible for retrieving submissions from other sources. It is the responsibility of the author to submit all necessary components to the editor by the deadline.